Upholstery molding strip



Sept. 27, 1932. L, H D r 1,879,257

' UPI-IOLSTERY MOLDING STRIP Filed May 17 Gil - INVENTOR W 4 77% @ORNE ALBERT L. HOWARD, or nnoox'rom MASSACHUSETTS. Assronoa r HAMILTONFWADE' Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITEDSTATES PATENT o F csf COMPANY, or BROCKTO-N, -MASS-ACH USETT S, A ,oonrolmmon or MASSACHUSETTS} urrroLs'rnnY momma STRIP Application filed Kay 17, 1930. "Serial No. 453,187.

This invention relates to molding or finishing strips for use in upholstering, and more especially to that class of strip-which ;con cealsthe 'means whereby it is secured in place. V

This type of strip normally embodiesa fiat bottom portion and a preferably curved top portion connected together and initially spread out open in a manner exposing both portions. In use, the bottom portion .is nailed in place and the topportion thenfolded thereover in a manner entirely concealing the bottom portion and nails. .Hereto-* fore, some flexible non-resilient means, such as wire, has been built into and transversely of the strip whereby to be bentinthe. strip folding operation to hold the strip in its folded position. One of the objects ofmy invention herein is to provide an improved strip wherein fastener means carried by one or both of the strip portions at the engaging faces thereof serves to holdthe. strip more securely in its foldedposition.

My invention contemplates the use of'any desired form of fastener and thesecuring thereof to the strip in any oonvenientmanner. For example, I may use the well-known snap fastener which will permit the unfolding and removal of the strip, a similar'but non-releasable snap fastener,a clinchertype fastener, etc., and ordinarily the fastener or a portion thereofwill be so carried by one portion of the strip as to extend into the other portion of the strip when in folded re' lation and said other portion will preferably carry some means to cooperate with the said fastener to facilitate the-holding'operation. One feature of my invention consists in the provision of a new and improved molding strip having these characteristics.

Molding strip is most commonly madeby covering a body core with a fabric and -ex-' tending the fabric outwardly in folded posi-' tion to form the wingportion of the strip. 1 Further features of my inventionxconsist in In practicing my invention, I: preferably form the body core of the strip-from'a plastic composition which can-be extruded into.

the core formdesired and in some forms of my invention I may seata portion of the fastener or fastener engaging means in the core by drawing the same through the extrud ing. diealongiwith the formation of the core.

Inone aspect my invention consistsin such" Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of my improved molding strip; 7 v

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the strip spread out to show its construction; f

-Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 33 and L-4 of Fig.2; 7 V l I Fig. 5 is a view similar toFig. 4 but showrip;

Figs. 6-and7. are sectional views taken lines 66:and 77 of Fig. 1.; r

Fig. 8 is an elevation of another form of my improved strip;

Fig. 9 's a sectional view taken online 9-9 ofFig. 8;

.Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the strip in ope'n'position;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a further form of my invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view takenon the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; Fig.'1 3 is a perspective viewof the strip in open position; V

I'Fig. 1;4.- is an elevation of another form of my invention; v I

Fig..15 is' a sectional'view taken on line l5-15 of Fig. 14; Y Fig. 161- is a; perspective view. illustrating the strip in partly foldedposition; and

'ingafurther step in the construction of the Fig. 17 illustrates the method of forming the body core of the strip.

Referring first to the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawing, 20 indicates a core of suitable material preferably shaped to provide one fiat side and one convex side. This core-forms the body of the top portion 21 of my molding strip. The covering for the core comprises a strip 22 of suitable fabric having one edge folded onto itself at 23. This folded edge provides the bottom or wing portion of the strip. I have illustrated this form of my molding strip as having snap fasteners of the well-known glove type. The male halves 24 of the fasteners are secured to the unfolded edge of the strip and the female halves 25 are secured to the folded edge 23. It will be noted that the fastener elements 25 also serve as rivets firmly securing the folded edge in place.

The core and fabric are assembled in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive The surface 26 of the fabric strip 22 is coated with cement or other suitable adhesive and the flat face of the core placed thereon, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thefabric is then wrapped tightly about the core, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The dimensions of the core and fabric are such that when thus combined the two parts of the fasteners are in position to inter-engage when the top portion 21 of the strip is folded onto the bottom portion 23.

I preferably form the core 20 of a composition which can be extruded to the desired shape, thus providing for a very economical manufacture of the core. It will, furthermore, be understood that the fabric covering 22 can be very rapidly and inexpensively manufactured, since the fabric strip needs only to be folded at 23 and the fastener elements attached. In commercial practice, this folding operation and the attaching of the fastener elements are automatically performed merely by running the strip through a machine for that purpose.

In applying the finished strip shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the bottom portion 23 is placed in the desired position and nailed at 27. The top portion 21 is then folded thereonto and pressed into place, whereupon the fastener elements 24 enter the elements 25 and hold the top portion firmly in place on the bottom portion.

The form of my invention shown in. Figs. 8 to 10 is similar in many respects to that above described. A core 30, preferably of plastic composition, is formed with one flat side and one convex side. The fabric covering 31 is of a like nature, as is also its application to the core. The fastener elements are, however, of a different construction and are difierently located in the strip. While the snap fasteners illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 are of the releasable type, permitting the top portion of the strip to be removed, the snap fasteners illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10 are of the positive or non-releasable type. Also,

while in Figs. 1 to 7 the male fasteners are 7 yond the face of the fabric in a positionto' engage the cooperating fastener members 35 in the core 30. I have illustrated each of the female fastener members 35 as comprising a pair of elements seated in the core 30, in a spaced relatively angular position, permitting the passage of the head 34 therebetween. Each element has laterally-extending top and bottom portions which anchor it in place in the core. The core being of a resiliently plastic composition permits the elements 35 to spread to permit passage of the head 34 and thereafter the elements engage the shoulders of the head and positively prevent displacement of the top portion of the strip.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13 is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 8 to 10. A core 40, preferably of plastic composition, is formed with one flat side and one convexside. The fabric covering 41 is of'a like nature, as is also its application to the core. The fastener elements are however, of different construction and operation. One edge of the fabric 41 is preferably folded over to provide a two-ply bottom strip portion 42 and fastener elements 43 of the clincher type are mounted therein in a man ner extending outwardly beyond the top face thereof. The free ends of these elements are bifurcated and are adapted to be spread by a clinching anvil. I mount such an anvil 44 in the core 40. This anvil is preferably a single V-shaped bar which is seated within the core by being drawn through the extruding die along with the formation of the core.

In applying the finished strip, the bottom portion 42 is placedin the desired position and nailed at 45. The top portion is then foldedthereonto, whereupon the bottom V angle of the anvil engages the bifurcated ends of the fasteners. The top strip portion is then tapped with a hammer sufficiently to spread the fastener ends, as shown in Fig. 12. The bifurcated ends are thereby clinched into the core and the top portion of the core thus firmly secured in place on the bottom strip 42. V v

The form of my invention shown in Figs. 14 to 17 is similar in some respects to the plies at 52 together.

' flat form shown in Figs. 8 to 10. A core of plastic composition is formed with one flat side and one convex side and a fabric covering 51 is applied thereto. However, prior to the application of the fabric to the core, one edge of the fabric is folded upon itself at 52 to provide the bottom or wing portion of the strip and the male fastener elements 53 are applied thereto in a manner securing the two Each of these fastener elements is a single strip of metal having its intermediate portion formed into a head 5% and its ends 55 sharpened toengage through and clinch into the fabric. p

The core 50 is illustrated as having seated therein cooperating female fastener elements 56 for receiving the heads 54: of the fasteners 53. I have illustrated herein a very con venient and inexpensive method of seating these elements 56 in the core. Each of such elements comprises a hollow bell-shaped portion and laterallyextending wings 57 which wingsand bell portion provide slots therebe tween. 1 mount these elements in proper 4 spaced relation on a pair of supportin tapes or cords 58 engaging in the slots. Theelements. are secured in position on the tapes by forcing the wings 57 into tight engagement therewith. The core 54 is preferably formed by extruding a suitable plastic composition through a die having the contour desired of the core. in accordance with my method herein, I draw the tapes with the elements 56 thereon through the extruding die along with the formation of the core. The elements are sition within the core. The free ends of the wings 57 of these elements are turned out wardly in a manner provlding a secure an-' choring thereof in the core.

After the core and fabric have been complete-d with the fastener elements applied thereto, the single ply portion of the fabric is wrapped about the core in the manner heretofore described. It may be desirable in some cases to secure the fabric by stitches 59 in addition to the cementing thereof to the core. It will be understood that such stitches may be applied to all forms of my invention, if desired. I may also provide a bead 60 on the free edge of the core and top portion of the strip, this bead serving to fully house the bottom strip portion 52 bytightly engaging over the free edge thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 15.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Molding strip for upholstery,comprisa body portion and a connected relatively wing portion, the two portions being adapted to be folded together along the line of their junction, and separable fastener elements at the engaging faces of said portions.

for holding them in their folded relation.

2. Molding strip for upholstery,- compris ing a body portion and a connected relatively flat wingfportion, the two portions being adapted to be'folded together along the line oftheir. junction, and fastener means carried by one portionand extending outwardly beyond the face thereof which cooperates with the other portion in'a manner adapted to extend intosuch other portion and hold the two portions in their folded relation.

tions; in their folded-relation, and means car ried by said other portion for cooperating to. facilitate the with said fastener means holding operation.

4c. Molding strip for upholstery, comprisingan elongated core member, a fabric-covering for the core member extended laterally therefrom to provide a relatively flat wingmember, and fastener means carried by and pro ecting outwardly from one-ofsa1d memb'ers andadapted to penetrate into "and en gage the other member to hold the members in superposed relation one on the other.

5. Molding strip for upholstery, comprising an elongated core, a fabric covering the core and extending laterally thereof in folded position toprovide atwo-ply relatively flat wing, and a plurality of spaced'fastener members carried by the wing and extending outwardly beyond the face thereof in a man ner adapted to extend into'the core and hol the core folded upon the wing.

6, Molding strip forupholstery, comprising an elon ated core,"a fabric oovering'the core and extending laterally'thereofin foldedvposition to'p'rovide a two-ply relatively flat wing, and a plurality of'spaced fastener members carried by the wing and extending outwardlybeyond the face thereof in a manner adapted to extend into the core and hold the core folded upon the wing, the said fastener members extending through both plies of the wing in a manner securing the plies together into a unit.

7. Molding strip for upholstery, comprising a body portion and a connected relatively fiat wing portion, the two portions being adapted to be folded together along the line of their junction, and cooperating male and female fastener members respectively carried by the two portions for holding them in their folded relation.

8.,Molding strip for upholstery, compris ing a body portion and a connected relatively flat wing portion, the body portion includ-- ing a core of plastic composition and the two portions being adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction, fastener means carried by the wing portion and extending outwardly beyond the face thereof which co operates with the body portion in a manner adapted to extend into the body portion and hold the two portions in their folded relation, and means within thecore for cooperating with said fastener means.

9. Molding strip for upholstery, comprising a body portion and a connected relatively fiat wing portion, the two portions being adapted to be folded together along the line of their junction, spaced male fastener ele ments carried by the wing portion and extending outwardly beyond the top face thereof, and cooperating spaced female fastener elements carried within the body portion in a position to receive the male fastener elements when the body portion is folded on the top face of the wing portion.

10. A method of making an upholstery molding strip composition core with a fastener engaging element molded therein, coni sisting of passing the fastener engaging element through an extruding die and simultaneously therewith extruding plastic composition through the die in a manner molding the same about the element.

11. A method of making an extruded plastic composition core with a plurality of relatively spaced fastener elements molded thereinto, consisting of drawing such elements in the said relatively spaced relation on a connecting means through the extruding die along with the formation of the core about the elements by the die.

12. A method of making an extruded plastic composition core-with a plurality of relatively spaced fastener elements molded thereinto, consisting of stringing and securing the fastener elements in proper spaced relation on a'supporting and connecting means, and drawing such connected elements through the extruding die along with the formation of the core about the elements.

by the die.

ALBERT L. HOWARD. 

